President’s Message

The Industry’s Inflection Point

To the CACM Membership:

I am honored to have this opportunity to serve the CACM membership and share my initial thoughts as your new President & CEO. But first, I would like to acknowledge the outstanding work and leadership of my predecessor, Karen Conlon. For 22 years, she has done a magnificent job of establishing this association as the leader in California-specific professional development and advocacy for community management. We are grateful for her contributions and leadership.

The industry now has moved beyond those early growth stages, and we’ve reached the “point of inflection” –change. The early industry pioneers worked hard to establish the strong foundation we’re standing on today; one rooted in professionalism, ethics and an ever-evolving repertoire of California-specific knowledge. And now, as the industry matures, management firms are established and the professionals who started this industry contemplate retirement, our industry must consider its future.

The world is changing, and firms are smartly adjusting to the evolution of the industry. Certainly the face of the industry will change and executives will adjust. The best strategies will evolve for the most successful firms. The outcome should be a stronger industry and a better product for the boards of common interest developments. Whichever business models dominate the industry over the next 10 years, managers are still dealing with homeowners, families and neighborhoods on a very personal level. And success for the manager is dependent upon artfully dealing with the unique circumstances of each community with professionalism, talent and tact.

As we advance into this new stage of development, the need for professional, well-trained managers will grow. Specializations will emerge from the need to more efficiently serve our communities and the profession of community management.

To this end, CACM is positioning itself to provide members with greater emphasis on business management skills and professional development. We will look closely at core competencies, values and essential skills necessary for a successful career in community management. We will adjust our courses and training programs accordingly to improve our credentialing programs and specialty designations.

CACM exists so that you have the tools needed to achieve professional success. This is one objective I will always remember as your new President & CEO. I stand beside you to change CACM as the industry changes and look forward to hearing from you and beginning a long tradition of collaboration.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN

If you wanted a no brainer job, then you wouldn’t have chosen to be a community association manager in California. The 1,200 laws impacting associations, the dozens of wacky/difficult personalities, the constant disputes, the often unmotivated volunteer board members – this profession will keep you on your toes, constantly looking for solutions and strategies to your management challenges.

But, in a fast-paced career like community management, it’s easy to pour all your energy into the day-today tasks and neglect the one thing that will help you manage better and smarter: professional development. This entire issue is devoted to helping you identify the warning signs and (if necessary) get out of that professional development rut you’ve been in.

Let’s start with three common pitfalls you may be guilty of falling into.

1. EXPERIENCING FREQUENT COURSEWORK DÉJÀ VU

We all like to stick to the familiar because, well, it’s what we know. But, when it comes to your professional development, flocking to the same courses year after year will only hinder your ability to reach your full professional (and financial) potential. Continuing education is designed to keep you performing at the top of your game and move ahead in your career, which is why you never want to settle for the same subject matter time and time again.

A much smarter use of your time and energy is to pursue courses in a variety of subjects that can help make you a more well-rounded professional as you progress through your career. CACM has developed course levels specifically for this reason (see sidebar on page 10). Within these levels, courses cover the full gamut of community management topics, from effective meeting and election tools, to

strategic financial planning, to risk management. These offerings are setting you up for professional success; all you have to do is pursue the coursework that’s best for you.

Another common pitfall Certified Community Association Managers (CCAMs) fall victim to is registering for courses based solely on the number of CEUs they offer. This typically happens out of panic – that is, you have three months to earn your 30 CEUs and “just need a course.” To avoid this stressful situation, try using our Professional Education Planning Guide, which helps you map out a three-year plan to meet your recertification goals with time to spare. Access this guide at www.cacm.org/what-we-offer/ education/courses.html.

You may be rolling your eyes at the thought of taking the time to map out a plan. But, consider the benefits: • You only have to map out a plan every three years; once you get it on paper, you have it handy for easy reference. • There’s no greater feeling than knowing you’re an expert in your field – think of the confidence boost you’ll get from learning about all facets of this industry! • More knowledge means more opportunities to provide your BOD with quality service.

2. KEEPING YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS A SECRET

Speaking of providing your BOD with quality service, wouldn’t it be nice if they were informed about all the education you were pursuing and how it benefits them? Why not tell them about it!

CACM COURSE OFFERINGS

100: CERTIFICATION COURSES

Courses for community managers seeking the Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM) certification

200: INTERMEDIATE COURSES

Recommended for CCAMs completing their first recertification cycle

300: AD VANCED COURSES

Recommended for CCAMs completing their second recertification cycle

400: SPECIALIZATION COURSES

Courses for experienced community managers or CCAMs completing a Specialty Certificate

500: MASTER COURSES

Courses for senior-level community managers or CCAMs completing a Master of Community Association Management (MCAM) certifcation

Learn more at www.cacm.org/whatwe-offer/education/courses.html.

For example, say your association has been having trouble meeting quorum. Consider taking CACM’s BDA220 Effective Meeting & Election Tools course to gain new strategies and tools to facilitate successful elections. Then, tell your board about your educational pursuit and how the coursework can help you solve their problem.

Another course to pursue might be FIN320 Strategic Financial Planning, which can help you determine if your association is in financial trouble and formulate a strategic approach to reserve and operating fund planning. What BOD wouldn’t be happy to hear about the tactics you’ve learned to help them achieve financial stability?

For a full list of CACM courses that are sure to impress your BOD, visit www.cacm.org/what-we-offer/education/courses.html.

And, of course you want to inform your BOD any time you’ve earned or are in the process of earning a CACM certification or Specialty Certificate. Learn more about the tools available to you when you’re ready to brag about your commitment to professional growth on page 36.

3. HESITATING TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Maybe it’s your busy schedule or lack of funds, or even fear of being in over your head with more advanced coursework. Whatever your excuse, there’s always a better reason to pursue a higher level of professional achievement – expanded career opportunities, higher earning potential and increased confidence in the boardroom to name a few. (On the subject of lack of funds, CACM offers scholarships for nearly all courses and events; learn more at www.cacm.org/what-weoffer/education/scholarships.html.)

Stop hesitating and start planning on how you can make community management less of a job and more of a long-term career.

CACM has created the “next steps” you need for a reason: We want to support you in your quest to become an expert in your field. Yet, while 75% of CACM manager members have earned the CCAM certification, a majority have not yet begun to pursue a Specialty Certificate, which is a stepping stone to the Master of Community Association Management (MCAM).

Those members who have earned a Specialty Certificate are reaping the benefits of becoming an expert in their chosen field. If you’re not sure which specialty would be the right fit for you, we’ve interviewed a group of community managers working in a variety of specialties – high rise, large scale, portfolio, new development, active adult and commercial/ industrial – to give you a better idea of what to expect. Read their stories starting on page 13. You can also learn what’s involved in earning a Specialty Certificate on page 25.

Curious what the next, next step (the MCAM) entails? Learn how Darren Shaw became the first manager member to earn this master certification on page 48.